Southern Charm

Azalea "Pink Ruffles"

Azaleas grow well in many areas across the world, yet I think of them as Southern. For the record, we do have native azaleas; however, most of the azaleas cultivated here are not natives.

Azalea "Traditional Pink"

My pink azaleas are among the first to bloom. "Pink Ruffles," "Traditional Pink," and "Coral Bells," I purchased this year in one gallon containers. I'm really enjoying their flowers, yet my current favorite azalea is one with deep orangey-red blossoms that I planted four or five years ago. Perhaps I'll figure out its name when I finally finish organizing my records. Even though it isn't as photogenic as the pinks, I love observing it from the kitchen window. The spot where it grows receives a splash of sunlight in both early morning and late afternoon.

Azalea "Coral Bells"

Azalea "Fashion"

"George Tabor" and "Mrs. G. G. Gerbing" are old favorites. If memory serves, my grandmother had one of each growing in front of her house. 

Azalea "Mrs. G. G. Gerbing"

Azalea "George Tabor"

Last year I added two reds to my collection, "President Clay"and "Midnight Flare." They grow at the back of the lot and are just now budding.  Joining them are my two recent additions, "Hershey's Red" and "Johanna's Red," which haven't yet bloomed. 

Azalea "Midnight Flare"

In 2011, I planted a red variety called "Christmas Cheer" but where, oh where, did I place it?

Azalea "President Clay"

On this day last year, my native azalea had begun to bloom. Not so this year.

Native azalea

Pink native azaleas growing at Brookgreen Gardens

This lovely pink is one I planted or transplanted last year.
I've been looking though my records hoping to discover its name.

I continue to add to my azalea collection as I attempt to recover an area taken over by English ivy and Florida betony. Two more additions back there this year: "White Gumpo" and "Renee Michelle." Tonight I ache from pulling up vines and digging, pulling up vines and digging, pulling up vines and digging….

Azalea "Southern Charm"

Dreams of White Gardens

Alyssum "Carpet of Snow"

When I bought my midcentury house near the coast, I had dreams of creating a white garden. I hadn't yet been to Sissinghurst Castle, but I'd read about its garden rooms and craved one of my own. Almost immediately, I bought two white crape myrtle trees, two nandina plants, and a white geranium.

A few months later the camellias that came with the house burst into colorful bloom. Unwilling to uproot them, I relinquished the idea of having my own white garden. 

Mock orange

But I didn't give up planting annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees with white blossoms. You see, white helps flowers with clashing colors play well together. Recently my golden native azalea and a nearby peach tree bloomed at the same time. Their blossoms competed for attention until I planted an Easter lily in their midst.

Easter Lilly

These blossoms on a Red Tip Photinia are perhaps more champagne than white.

Dogwood

Temple Bells (Pieris japonica)

Two years ago after returning from a trip to Japan, where I saw numerous Pieris shrubs growing near temples in Miyajima and Kyoto, I purchased a small one at the Charleston Horticultural Society annual plant sale. My Pieris is still small. I love the way the tiny bell-shaped flowers dance in the breeze.

Dewberry

Other white flowers appear in the herb garden, on brambles, and on productive fruit trees.

Citrumelo blossoms

Cilantro (aka Coriander)

Plum blossom

My young Chinese fringetree (Chionanthus retusus)

Nearly eighteen months ago I made a day trip to an out-of-town nursery that imports and cultivates numerous Asian plants. My intention was to purchase a weeping cherry tree. Due to an apparent misunderstanding, a nursery employee sold me a Chinese fringetree rather than the weeping cherry I had requested. Having bought several other plants as well, I was halfway home before I realized a mistake had been made.

Phlox

 Blossoms on a fringetree at Brookgreen Gardens

Last week I went to Brookgreen Gardens to hear my poet friends Susan Laughter Meyers and Libby Bernadin read. While there, I saw gorgeous fringetrees covered in blooms. I expect these were the native Chionanthus virginicus.

Cyclamen

Fragrant Meyer lemon blossoms

Lady Banks rose

Snapdragons

Dutch Iris

Azalea "Mrs. G.G. Gerbing"

Backlit white daffodils

With the exception of my photograph of the fringetree at Brookgreen, all the pictures in this blog post are ones I took of blooms in my yard this month. My favorite white flower, the moonflower, is absent. I don't expect to see it again until July.